JOAN'S POVI laid on my bed, staring at the ceiling. I couldn't sleep. My mind was filled with so many thoughts.I was worried about my mother. She was still unconscious. I called the doctor and the nurses earlier. They all assured me that she was fine. Even with that, I couldn't help but worry. I hoped she would be okay. Everyday, the fear of receiving a tragic phone call haunted me. I feared that the call that would shatter my world completely. I prayed that the call would never come. I felt like a ticking time bomb. I closed my eyes, trying to force myself to sleep. But every time I did, memories of my mother's smiling face would show up in my head. Tears pricked at my eyes. I missed her so much. I wished I could be by her side. A knock on my door broke through my thoughts. I hesitated. Who could it be at this hour? My mind raced with possibilities. The knock sounded again. I slipped out of bed and walked to the door."Joan, it's Emily," a familiar voice whispered from the other
JOAN'S POVI stared at her in shock. She was the lady from the armor room, the one who was stating at me. She's real. I thought it was just a figment of my imagination. I bowed my head respectfully "Good afternoon, Lady Irene."She was seated by the window, looking at her laptop. The sunlight shone on her skin. As I looked up, I couldn’t help but marvel at her beauty. The magazines and blogs that featured her did her no justice. In person, Lady Irene was breathtaking. Her porcelain skin glowed and her pretty brown eyes twinkle in the sunlight. She had long and luscious auburn hair. "Hello, Joan," she said in a nice tone. I was surprised. I thought she would ignore me but she actually sounded nice. I smiled weakly "I'm here to clean your room. Is this a good time?" "Yes. You can go ahead. Thank you" "Okay then" I was about to get started but her voice stopped me once more "I've heard a lot about you," Lady Irene said "You’ve been doing an excellent job around the house.""Thank
DERRICK'S POVI sat at the edge of my bed, smoking a blunt. I let the smoke fill my lungs, hoping it would calm me down. My mind was filled with the thoughts of the drug deal I had to make with the Mexicans that evening. The particular Mexican family I wanted to deal with weren't easy people to deal with. The stakes were high. In fact, the potential for disaster was even higher. I could feel the thoughts of it pressing down on me, making it hard to breathe, hard to think clearly.I needed to get my mind off the deal, to find some way to relax. I thought smoking would help but I had smoked like two blunts already. I needed an activity to distract me. I grabbed the intercom and summoned Miss Sullivan to my room. I had the perfect idea. In a few seconds, Miss Sullivan knocked on the door. "Come in" I said. She entered with her usual smile on her face. "What can I do for you, Sir Derrick?" she asked me. “Prepare the horses,” I said. She nodded then left. I thought about it. Horse ri
JOAN'S POVI woke up to the sound of soft murmuring. Slowly, my eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the morning light coming through the windows. A figure stood by my bedside, and as my vision cleared, I saw that it was a man. "Good morning, Joan," the man said with a smile. "How are you feeling?"I tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over me, and I sank back into the pillows."A bit lightheaded," I admitted. "And sore""That's to be expected. You went through quite an ordeal. Your body needs time to recover from the shock. I recommend you rest as much as possible for the next few days.""Are you a doctor?" I asked him. "Yes, I am. If you don't mind, I'd like to check your vitals" "Okay" The doctor used his stethoscope to check my heartbeat. He proceeded to check my pulse and examining the bruises that were on my skin. After a few minutes, he stepped back and gave me a nod of approval."You'll be fine with rest and care," he assured me. "I'll check on you again tomorrow.
DERRICK’S POV. I laid on my bed, staring at the ceiling. I couldn't sleep. Every single time I closed my eyes, I remembered Joan's face. My body still recalled the arousal from the previous night when I had rescued her. The memory of her soft, smooth, velvety skin pressed against mine was seared into my brain. I could still feel the warmth of her body. I could still feel the subtle curve of her waist beneath my fingertips.How could I even get aroused at a time like that? What the hell is she doing to me? "Damn it," I muttered, running a hand through my hair in frustration. I had to get her out of my mind. She was just a maid, a servant in my mansion. I had no business thinking of her in such an intimate way. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get rid of the image of her beautiful face. I turned onto my side, staring at the empty space next to me. I could still smell her faint scent as is scooped her into my arms. She smelled like vanilla. It was intoxicating, and I hated
JOAN'S POVSitting on Lady Irene's bed felt surreal. Yes, you heard that right. After I was done tidying up her room she invited me to sit with her on one of the long couches by the window to have a chat. I was beyond surprised. When she asked me, I had to turn back to make sure I was the one she was talking to. The lavish feel of the couch and plush pillows screamed luxury. Lady Irene sat beside me. She was talking non-stop, and I tried to focus on her words, not wanting to seem distracted or, worse, disrespectful."Have you ever tried these?" Lady Irene held up a tiny, delicate macaron. "They’re from this lovely patisserie in Paris. I just got back yesterday. They taste lovely! Have some"I managed a small smile, accepting the treat. "Thank you, Lady Irene.""Oh, please, just Irene," she insisted with a wave of her hand. "We’re not in some ballroom. Besides, formality is so overrated."I was shocked by her words. Why was Lady Irene, a figure of high society, spending her time with
DERRICK’S POV I stormed into the barn with my associate, Ken. The sounds of laughter stopped as soon as the maids saw me. Joan stood among them, looking beautiful as ever. She seemed more relaxed and at ease than I’d ever seen her. The sight of her made something tighten in my chest. They stood up immediately. "Good day, sir" they chorused "What’s going on here?" I asked. "We were just taking a break" Emily said "We're sorry, sir" My eyes landed on Joan. I noticed how timid and scared she looked. She was basically shaking in her spot. I could tell she was anxious with the way she played with the hem of her dress. Emily and Sarah walked out of the barn. Joan was about to leave as well until I stopped her. "Joan" I said "Stop" She turned to look at me. Her beautiful brown eyes pierced through mine, making my heart pause for a second. In that moment, all I wanted to do was just talk to her. I wanted to ask her how she was and how she was feeling. I wanted to mak
JOAN'S POVNow that I had seen my mom, I felt a lot lighter. I spent the rest of my day off going to my mom's house and cleaning it up for her. The house was dusty and a bit damp due to how empty it had been for a while. I was happy to clean. When my mom goes back home, I wanted her to meet a neat place. I was certain that she would be okay again. She had to be. The next day, it was time to go back to work. I booked a taxi and made my way back to the Stonewood mansion. It had been just a day but I missed it. I missed everyone. It was a bit weird but this place seemed like home now. The people there treated me well and made me feel welcome. When we arrived, I got down from the cab and walked through the entrance of the mansion. As I entered, I couldn't help but feel a bit excited. However, my excitement quickly gave way to confusion when I finally stepped inside. The air was heavy, and the other workers seemed to be speaking in hushed tones. Something was definitely off.I made my
JOAN'S POVIt was well past midnight when I slipped downstairs to the kitchen. I couldn't sleep so I decided to get a glass of milk to calm myself down. Just as I got the milk I needed, the muffled sound of voices caught my attention. I could hear a low argument coming from down the hallway. Curiosity got the better of me as it always did and I found myself walking closer. I stayed behind a pillar, straining my ears to catch every word.It was Derrick and Henry. They were both arguing about something. "You're hiding something, Derrick." Henry said "How long do you think you can keep it a secret?"Derrick’s response was calm "You have no idea what you're talking about, Henry. Stay out of my affairs, or you’ll regret it."I held my breath as I pieced together what little I could from their exchange. It was clear there was a rift between them. Just then, the sound of footsteps approaching shocked me. I ran back to the staircase, making my way up as silently as possible. Once I was in
JOAN’S POVIrene and I planned to spend the day getting our hair and nails done. I wasn’t the type to do this often. Hell, before I got engaged to Derrick, I couldn’t remember the last time I got my hair done. I usually did it myself. But Irene kept pleading for us to have a girl’s day out together. And how on earth could I say no to Irene?As soon as I stepped through the doors of the salon with Irene, my jaw nearly dropped. I’d never seen anything like this place before. The walls gleamed with soft pink wallpapers and crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Everything here screamed luxury, from the fluffy chairs, to the bright vanity mirrors, the marble counters and even the stylists. Women walked around wearing robes with glasses of champagnes in their hands. They talked quietly as they were pampered by the workers. Irene noticed my awestruck expression and grinned. “I told you, Joan, this place is worth the hype. Nothing but the best for us.”“I can see that”“Don’t be too su
JOAN'S POVOne night, I accompanied Derrick to a dinner with the governor. The governor’s mansion was breathtaking. Everything here was sophisticated - the paintings, the chandeliers, the high ceilings, the wide hallway and the house itself. As we stepped through the entrance, the chandeliers sparkled above us on the marble floors. I tried not to gape but it was hard not to. I was in awe of thewhole place. It looked like something straight out a movie. Beside me, Derrick walked with confidence. His posture was straight and his expression was unreadable as always. He hadn’t spoken much on the drive over. Not like he ever spoke to me anyway. But now, as we walked through the crowd of high-profile guests, he seemed even colder. The dining room was already half-full by the time we reached our seats. As I took a look around, I couldn’t help but notice the familiar faces scattered around the room. The governor, several senators, and even the President of the United States who was seated
JONAS' POVI adjusted the tiny camera in the button of my shirt. I angled it just right before I slipped back into the dining room. Derrick and Joan were already seated. The silence between them was so thick I could practically feel it from across the room. They sat on opposite ends of the long table, hardly looking at each other while they ate. They didn't behave like a real couple. So far, there was no hint of affection, no evidence of warmth that might prove Henry wrong. Maybe he was right. Maybe this whole marriage was just a carefully constructed facade.I kept my eyes down, trying to busy myself with minor tasks as I positioned myself discreetly nearby, hoping to catch a clear shot of any interaction. Derrick buttered his toast in silence. Joan, on the other hand, stirred her tea absentmindedly. Her eyes were distant as if she was lost in thought. She looked fragile, almost vulnerable. Just as I thought I’d finally have a few minutes to observe, Ms. Sullivan appeared out of now
JOAN'S POVI sat on my bed, taking a look around my room. It was funny how much my life had changed in a few months. It's funny how things can change in the blink of an eye. The room was lavish, yet suffocating, and I often found myself feeling lost within its walls. Especially when the man I was supposed to call my fiancé kept himself as distant as a stranger. But that was the role I’d signed up for, wasn’t it? Pretend to be the girlfriend of America’s most eligible billionaire and make it look convincing.Only, Derrick didn’t make it easy. Not in the slightest.Today had been an exhausting whirl of decisions. Dresses, flowers, venues—it has taken me the whole day. I'd met up with the finest wedding dress designers and the best florists in the country. Irene had been by my side. She had been supportive as always. Her cheerful attitude helped to keep me grounded. She was good at calming my nerves, and I needed that because Derrick’s frosty demeanor had left me feeling colder than I
HENRY'S POVI sat back in my new apartment, the leather of the couch squeaking as I shifted to get more comfortable. A week ago, I never thought I’d be here, living in a space twice the size of my old rat-infested dump, but there I was. And it was all thanks to Sir Henry. I ran a hand through my hair, letting out a slow breath as I watched the rain trickle down the windowpane. It had been a whirlwind since Sir Henry Stonewood approached me with his offer—a life-changing deal that pulled me out of a sinking ship and straight into this luxurious high-rise.The terms were clear: find the truth about Joan and Derrick’s relationship. Sir Henry had been specific in his instructions—he didn’t just want rumors or speculation; he needed proof that their so-called “relationship” was nothing but a sham. The first few days were quiet, but now, things were picking up. I'd noticed that Joan and Derrick were a lot more careful in public. It seemed real enough. It was more than enough to convince an
JOAN'S POVAs the limo pulled up to the entrance of the gala, my heart raced. The moment the door opened and Derrick stepped out, the blinding flashes of cameras made my pulse quicken. He turned back toward me, offering his hand. His dark, commanding presence seemed to make everything around him fade, as if he alone controlled the scene. I hesitated for a second, not used to this kind of attention, but then I took his hand and stepped out into the madness of flashing lights and voices calling out his name.The photographers didn’t hesitate to capture every second, their cameras snapping away furiously as Derrick wrapped an arm around my waist, drawing me closer. His grip was firm—possessive almost—and I couldn’t help but feel the electricity between us. I knew this was all for show, a public display for the paparazzi and the high-profile guests that awaited us inside. But that didn’t stop the warmth that rushed through me at his touch.“You alright?” he asked in a low tone as he leane
JOAN'S POVI sat in front of the vanity mirror. The bright lights made the room feel warmer than it actually was. The makeup artist’s hands moved expertly across my face, dabbing foundation, brushing my cheeks with blush, and carefully lining my eyes. I could see the reflection of the glam team bustling around me, working on my hair and choosing the perfect jewelry. A strange knot of excitement formed in my stomach, tightening with each passing minute. I knew what was coming—tonight was a public event, and I’d be accompanying Derrick. Both of us would be attending a charity gala tonight. It would be the perfect soft launch for our relationship.Derrick. Just the thought of him made my heart race with a mix of butterflies and nerves that I could never quite shake. Every time I thought I understood him, he would do something to throw me off balance. But there was no denying the pull between us. Even now, as I sat in this chair, my thoughts kept wandering back to him.The door creaked
JOAN'S POVThe day went by fast. It was filled with wedding preparations. If I saw one more wedding brochure, I just might scream. I barely had time to breathe these days, let alone think. I wasn’t used to this kind of life—always in the spotlight, constantly scrutinized. The wedding, though just a contract on paper, felt too real sometimes. It wasn’t love that brought Derrick and me together, but necessity. And yet, here I was, preparing for a wedding that felt more like a spectacle than anything else.By the afternoon, I decided I needed a break. I hadn’t seen Miss Sullivan, Emily, or Sarah in a while. I missed them. They were the people I bonded with when I started working here as a maid, and in many ways, they still felt like my family.I headed down to the kitchen, hoping to find a bit of peace away from the madness. The second I walked in, the smell of baked bread and herbs hit me. Ms Sullivan looked up from kneading dough. Her face lit up when she saw me.“Joan, there you are!